Cynthia Williamson is an advocate for youth in Jeannette
A resident of the Pleasant Park neighborhood, Cynthia Williamson has lived in Jeannette her entire life.
“I was born and raised here, graduated from Jeannette High School and then attended Westmoreland County Community College,” she said.
Like many county employees, Williamson got her first job in Head Start, a federal program attached to counties in the 1970s.
“I moved to the recorder of deeds and then, in 1979, I got hired at the clerk of courts,” said Williamson, who is now employed there as a criminal supervisor.
Williamson is also involved in ministry. She and her family belong to the God's Re-creation Christian Center in McKeesport.
“I am a minister and I also teach Sunday school and assist at the altar. Ministers are all things in our church. There is no job too big or too small. At the end of the day, we are just servants to the most high God,” she said.
Williamson also loves crafts.
“I love making floral arrangements and doing parties, weddings and baby showers. My goal, when I retire, is to have my own business doing party planning and design. I would love to have a dining hall that I could set up to my customer's liking. I also want people to be able to afford to have something nice,” said Williamson, who loves to cook and bake.
“I spend a lot of time baking with my friend. We like to try different recipes. Her specialty is lemon bars and mine are the peaches.”
As a member of the Jeannette Youth Commission for many years, Williamson is a mentor in the commission's new reintegration program.
“I am working with two girls from our community; I advocate for them and help them through life situations to separate from bad influences. I work very closely with the probation officer,” said Williamson.
She is also a member of the Black Awareness Committee at WCCC.
“We are invested in diversity. The Black Awareness Committee also has a fundraiser annually to contribute to the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund and a banquet to acknowledge the achievements of African American children that are doing great things in high school,” said Williamson.
She lives with her husband, David, and daughter, Sarahi, a senior at Jeannette High School. She also has two sons, David Williamson and Maurice Hunter, and three grandchildren.
“The most important thing is that I love the Lord. That comes first in my life.”
To learn more about party planning, ministering at church or advocating for youth in the community, get to know neighbor Cynthia Williamson.
Editor's note: Meet Your Neighbors is a recurring feature in The Jeannette Spirit. If you know of a neighbor with an interesting life story to tell, someone who deserves some recognition for volunteer work, a resident with a special talent or an avid collector who would like to be featured, call the Spirit at 724-838-5154 or send an email to klinden@tribweb.com.
Margie Stanislaw is a contributing writer.
